I read this book the way one makes a patchwork quilt. I started the book simply as an audio book. Towards the end, I was able to get my hands on the eBook version and read along as I listened to the audio book. Finally, I just read the last 60 pages without the aid of the audio book.

Before I discuss the book, I just want to touch on the audio book. The normal speed for this book is impossibly slow. I would recommend listening to the book at 1.2x speed. Even at this speed, there seemed to be impossibly long pauses between words and sentences at times. If you are going to listen very carefully or follow along with the eBook version, I would recommend increasing the speed to the next level.

In regards to the book, I greatly enjoyed it. I have seen the first two seasons of Game of Thrones and was pleasantly surprised by how (reasonably) true the writers were to the first book. Also, I was pleased that I was motivated to keep reading the book even though I knew what all the twists and turns were going to be. I am looking forward to reading the second book in the series.